HOME / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

NXT announcer Mauro Ranallo and WWE mutually part ways after 5 years, upset fans say 'this sucks'

In a statement, Ranallo said he now wants to focus on his other projects, his mental health charitable activities and the well being of himself and his mother

NXT announcer Mauro Ranallo and World Wrestling Entertainment have mutually parted ways. Ranallo made his way to WWE in 2015 as the play-by-play commentator for the SmackDown broadcast team.

Ranallo shared a statement on Facebook saying, "I appreciate the opportunity I had to realize my childhood dream of working in sports entertainment, and I wish WWE well in the future. Now I want to direct my focus and devote my time to my other projects and to my mental health charitable activities and the well-being of my mother and myself." WWE also released a statement in regards to Ranallo's exit, "WWE and Mauro Ranallo have mutually and amicably agreed to part ways. Mauro’s passion and enthusiasm left an indelible and exciting mark with WWE and its fans, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."

The former sports commentator was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 19-years-old in 1989 when he lost his friend Michael Janzen. In 2018, Ranallo became a leading voice for mental health awareness since his documentary 'Bipolar Rock n Roller' got released. In a 2018 interview with Si, Ranallo opened up about his mental health and said, "It is most difficult for the person suffering for the simple fact that, for the most part, it is invisible to everyone else."

In 2015, Ranallo said, "I would go through these unbelievable mood swings... I never attempted suicide, but I have had suicidal thoughts... The biggest challenge is there are many days I feel like a fraud." He told Bleachreport: "I remember a time when I self-medicated and was drunk 42 days in a row. My family and relationships paid the price, and I was headed toward a dangerous ending. It wasn't until 2003 when I finally acknowledged the fact that I needed help."

As soon as the news of his exit from WWE came in, people started slamming WWE and said, "You actually killed the best commentator this business has had since JR. Holy s**t," and "Maybe if WWE ever acknowledged the bullying of Mauro by people like Corey Graves and most likely JBL, Mauro would’ve stayed and been a great person to talk about the affects of bullying and mental health." Another one said, "WWE always releasing some good ppl it's not right Mauro Ranallo will always be the voice of NXT no matter what he's one of the best announcers in the business period."

Soon, people started pouring in love for Ranallo, as one user said, "Awww this sucks! Not only because Mauro is genuinely brilliant at commentary — but also the work he does for raising awareness about mental health is just so damm admirable. Hope he goes onto great things post-WWE." 

Some wished him by saying, "I haven't watched WWE for a while but Mauro voice made everything on a Takeover more epic. I know he has struggled with his mental health in the past and hope this is unconnected and that he is in a happy calm state of mind."